BENGALURU: Five years ago, Koneru Humpy had what she called an "unexpected" win. She had made a comeback to competitive tournaments a year earlier at the 2018 Batumi Olympiad, following a self-imposed break to navigate a tough pregnancy, its attendant prenatal complications, and the motherhood that followed.
When she arrived in Moscow for the 2019 World Rapid and Blitz Championship, there was little to suggest that she could be a title contender. "Humpy, why do you even want to play rapid which you're really no good at when you could stick to classical?" her old foe Ju Wenjun chuckled ahead of the tournament. Humpy battled through racy tiebreaks after a three-way tie for first-place to win her first women's world rapid title. Only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the world rapid crown. On Saturday, in New York, the 37-year-old Indian Grandmaster did it a second time - this time without the need for tiebreaks. China's Ju and Russia's Kateryna Lagno finished runner-up and in third place respectively.
Humpy is now tied with Ju as the only players to have won the Women's World Rapid title twice. Last year, Humpy finished runner-up in the rapid.
Esta historia es de la edición December 30, 2024 de Hindustan Times Mumbai.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 30, 2024 de Hindustan Times Mumbai.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Marriage is the most beautiful duet life can offer: Sufi singer Bismil
As a Sufi singer, his songs have mostly been about divine love, but Bismil says he is finally ready to sing a 'duet' of a different kind—he is all set to tie the knot on January 5 in Jaipur.
Slowly seeing a hierarchy on OTT as well: Kritika Kamra
Actor Kritika Kamra has had a busy 2024 with the second season of Gyaarah Gyaarah and shooting for the web series Matka King opposite actor Vijay Varma.
Keerthy Suresh Addresses Her Team's Tussle With Paps
Keerthy Suresh recently found herself in an unexpected situation while attending a film premiere in Mumbai.
Seniors, head coach under BCCI scanner after debacle at MCG
IF ROHIT SHARMA DOES INDEED MOVE ON FROM TEST CRICKET, VICE-CAPTAIN JASPRIT BUMRAH APPEARS SET TO BE APPOINTED NEXT INDIA CAPTAIN
Sports Ministry, IOA Back Different Set of IGU Officials
The sports ministry has given its stamp of approval for the Indian Golf Union (IGU) election with Brijender Singh as president and Satish Kumar Sharma as secretary.
In EPL, Santo Gets Forest Out of the Woods
Nottingham Forest have begun 2025 in contention for a Champions League spot.
Without Bumrah, series would've been one-sided
Aussie pace great McGrath lauds India spearhead who has been a one-man force with 30 wickets in the four Test matches yet
Carlsen shares World Blitz title with Nepomniachtchi
World No. 1 sealed pact with Russian after 7 games in the final to share a global title for the first time
Teen golfer Avani set for LET with a new mindset
Avani Prashanth, among India's most promising young golfers, sat down with her coach after the LPGA qualifying series in the USA, where things slid drastically despite her coming in feeling upbeat about her game.
Carmakers Ride to Record Domestic Sales in 2024
Indian passenger vehicles market registered record wholesales of 4.3 million units in 2024, with companies such as market leader Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Kia posting their best-ever annual domestic sales.
